Right-of-Way Rules of the Road

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

While the government spends zillions of our dollars on various safety campaigns, the basic, everyday, bread-and-butter rules of the road (such as who has a right-of-way and when) continues to be a mystery to the most of us. So here is the scoop:

If you are going straight, you have the right-of-way over vehicles that are turning. Do not stop. (That also means if you want to turn left, the oncoming traffic gets to go first. Do not cut them off.)

If you are on a major road, you always have the right-of-way over vehicles that are entering. Do not stop. (That means if you are about to merge onto a main street or onto an Interstate, you must let the traffic on that road go first. Do not cut them off.)

If you are already in a rotary, you always have the right-of-way over the entering vehicles. (If you are about to enter, you must yield to the traffic that’s already in the rotary).

On a multi-lane highway, vehicles traveling faster always have the right-of-way over vehicles traveling slower – regardless of speed limits. (You must keep to the right – even if the car trying to pass you is speeding.)

At a 4-way stop intersection, the vehicles alternate starting with the vehicle that arrived first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time and their intended paths would cross, the vehicle that is on the right has the right-of-way. (You cannot make up your own rules – no matter how rude – or how courteous – you happen to be feeling at that moment).

Pedestrians have the right-of-way only when they are within a marked crosswalk, and only when they are not crossing against their light. (You cannot make up your own rules – no matter how rude – or how courteous – you happen to be feeling at that moment).

REMEMBER: BEING POLITE TO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU MEANS YOU MAY BE ACTING RUDE TO SOMEONE BEHIND YOU